Eastern Europe
SBC Summit Tbilisi 2024 Promises Growth and a Deep-Dive into Eastern Europe & Central Asia
SBC Summit Tbilisi is poised to reclaim the spotlight on 25-26 June at the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace, marking its early return after a highly successful inaugural edition in October 2023.
1,500 senior sports betting and iGaming executives will reconvene in the heart of Georgia’s capital, to solidify their foothold in the promising markets of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while gaining invaluable insights into the nuances that shape industry dynamics.
SBC has once again partnered with SMH to organise SBC Summit Tbilisi, continuing the event’s partnership that began with the SBC Summit CIS in Kyiv in 2021. SMH is an international iGaming and sports management organisation based in Georgia, bringing valuable local knowledge to an event that incorporates unique elements reflective of the vibrant Eastern European and Central Asian markets.
Lasha Machavariani, Founder and CEO of SMH, said: “I’m thrilled that the SBC Summit Tbilisi is making a comeback to my beautiful home country of Georgia. Witnessing all the engaging conversations and networking that took place last year filled me with pride, affirming that the effort that goes into organising an event of this calibre is absolutely and undoubtedly worthwhile.
“Offering a platform for those keen on Eastern European and Central Asian markets feels not only rewarding but also essential, especially given all the buzz in these markets we’re diving into. If this event wasn’t on your radar yet, now’s the perfect time to start considering it.”
Andrew McCarron, Managing Director at SBC, commented: “Operators, suppliers and affiliates who want to make a mark in the region simply have to attend SBC Summit Tbilisi if they are going to compete successfully. These markets are tricky to thrive in without local knowledge, which is why SBC has partnered with SMH in order to provide the platform for companies to perform effectively.”
Centered on these dynamic regions, the event promises an in-depth exploration of key markets, including Georgia, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Slovenia among others, and guarantees to be a melting pot of ideas and strategies tailored for these geographically diverse regions. The conference agenda will focus on trends including the new regulatory landscapes in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the influence of innovations from crypto to AI, and new developments in eSports, payments, and influencer marketing, among other topics.
Last year, the host country had a strong operator presence during the inaugural summit, with industry leaders like Adjarabet, Betlive, Crocobet, Europebet, Leaderbet, LVBet, Superbet, TotoGaming and Vbet making their mark.
Past event attendees responded exceptionally well to the inaugural edition of the event. Tereza Tokmajyan, CMO of TotoGaming, called it an ‘excellent opportunity for operators and service providers from the region.’ Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, described it as “featuring a very active and representative audience, outstanding topics, and speakers”. Additionally, Vakhtang Mdivani, CPO and Co-Founder of Promofy, praised the event, expressing: “Hosting such an exceptional event in Georgia for the first time and setting the bar so high was truly awesome”.
This year’s show floor is set to be significantly larger, featuring over 60 exhibitors and sponsors, effectively doubling the count from the previous year. Moreover, there is an anticipated 70% growth in the count of operator representatives, and affiliate representatives are poised to experience a 50% increase compared to the figures reported last year.
To cater to the growing interest, this year’s event will expand its agenda, commencing with a half-day conference on the opening day (25 June). This addition brings the total number of featured speakers to 60, marking a significant 50% increase from last year.
The first day will feature a poker tournament followed by the Official Opening Party sponsored by Setanta Sports, taking place at Stamba Hotel. On the second day, a VIP dinner exclusively for C-level executives will be held at the Republic Restaurant, followed by a Closing Party at the Republic Event Hall.
Compliance Updates
GLI Becomes First International Gaming Lab to be Accredited in Ukraine
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has become the first international gaming lab to be accredited in Ukraine.
GLI Europe B.V. was appointed by Ukrainian regulatory authority, PlayCity, as both a testing/certification and inspection body for gambling equipment in the country and is currently the only foreign entity to be accredited.
GLI Europe B.V. will perform testing and certification of all gaming related hardware and software in accordance with the requirements of PlayCity and the Ukrainian gaming regulatory framework. GLI will deliver all Ukrainian certification services through its European operational hub, GLI Europe B.V., ensuring certification is conducted under GLI’s ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17065 accreditations.
The company will work with both foreign and Ukrainian suppliers, whereas Ukraine is considered a regulated market, and suppliers will need to hold a certificate of approval from PlayCity in order to request certification for the market.
“We are grateful for the trust PlayCity has placed in GLI. At GLI, we work with regulators in more than 710 jurisdictions, and we will bring our global expertise to PlayCity and to suppliers who wish to enter the Ukrainian market, guaranteeing the highest levels of testing quality and compliance,” said James Boje, Managing Director, EMEIA.
The post GLI Becomes First International Gaming Lab to be Accredited in Ukraine appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21
ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor
The provider increased its presence in Romania by launching with two of the market’s leading operators, Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna.
Popular iGaming content provider ICONIC21 launches with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna. The integrations represent a further strategic move in the provider’s swift expansion within regulated markets.
Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna rank among the most well-known brands in Romania, possessing a robust retail and online presence, relied upon by a large player community. Collaborating with both operators strengthens ICONIC21’s dedication to providing top-notch, tailored content for prominent brands in competitive markets.
A broad range of ICONIC21’s live casino games is now accessible to its players, featuring prominent titles from the Gravity Series like Gravity Roulette and Gravity Blackjack. The Gravity Series incorporates multiplier mechanics into traditional casino formats, enhancing engagement while maintaining a sense of familiarity. The collection additionally features various roulette versions and well-liked Asian games like Sic Bo and Baccarat, guaranteeing wide player attraction.
The growth emphasizes ICONIC21’s rapidly advancing roadmap, covering live casino, slots, virtual and instant games, dedicated studios, and proprietary promotional tools. Every vertical is created to enable flexible integration, customized environments, and expandable growth for operators.
Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, commented: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and going live with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna confirms the strong demand for our portfolio. We are growing quickly across regulated jurisdictions, and Romania is a clear example of how our products resonate with established operators who prioritise quality, performance, and flexibility.”
Michael Foster, Group Head of Commercial Gaming Operations, added: “Integrating ICONIC21’s portfolio allows us to enhance our live casino offering with strong, performance driven titles. The Gravity Series in particular brings an extra engagement layer to classic games, which aligns well with our strategy of delivering differentiated experiences to our players.”
The post ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21
ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance
ICONIC21 advances its strategic growth in regulated markets through a new collaboration with VivaBet, a rapidly expanding online casino operator in Romania.
By means of this agreement, sought-after supplier ICONIC21 provides a collection of more than 15 live casino games, enhancing VivaBet’s selection with content focused on performance.
VivaBet established a solid presence in the Romanian market by emphasizing a varied casino selection and a user-friendly platform designed for local users. Functioning within Romanian regulations, the brand persists in investing to broaden its content library to stay pertinent in a fiercely competitive landscape.
The inclusion of ICONIC21’s live casino collection helps achieve this goal by presenting contemporary studios, rapid gameplay, and multiplier-driven features that enhance player involvement.
Among the games going live with VivaBet are some of ICONIC21’s strongest performers:
· Gravity Blackjack
· Gravity Roulette
· Multiple variations of Baccarat
The Gravity Series, recognized for its multiplier mechanics integrated into classic formats, introduces an additional dimension to conventional table games. This strategy has reliably produced high engagement metrics in various markets.
Merging traditional casino elements with improved payout opportunities and refined studio aesthetics, the collection meets the desires of Romanian players who are progressively pursuing both recognition and extra thrill.
Commenting on the partnership, Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and partnering with VivaBet marks another important step in strengthening our footprint locally. We see strong demand for live content that blends classic gameplay with modern mechanics, particularly within our Gravity Series. Collaborating with an operator that understands its audience and is focused on continuous growth allows us to deliver real value.”
From VivaBet’s side, Matei Secaci, Head of Casino, added: “We are pleased to integrate ICONIC21’s live portfolio into our platform. Expanding our array of games with a provider that is growing quickly and investing in high quality production enables us to further enhance the experience we offer our players. The addition of titles such as Gravity Blackjack and Gravity Roulette brings fresh energy to our live casino section.”
The partnership with VivaBet is a key element of ICONIC21’s wider growth plan in regulated European markets. Through providing adaptable integration, a varied live portfolio, and studio-led innovation, the company remains a dependable partner for operators in search of unique live casino content.
With the increasing demand for interactive, enhanced live games, collaborations like this one strengthen ICONIC21’s dedication to providing scalable, performance-oriented solutions customized to the requirements of each market.
The post ICONIC21 Boosts Romania Operations Through VivaBet Alliance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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